I need to know how to get out/ fight a non compete clause

I was let go from my job Friday morning. I have already found another job but it is at a competitor (Im a florist). When i started employment in 2006, my former employers had me sign a non compete clause. It didnt bother me signing it as my living situation was quite different back then. I was living with my boyfriend and my daughter wasnt living with me at the time (she is now 16). Now, I have my daughter with me and no boyfriend so I am the sole supporter for her and I. Plus, i have done floral work for 12 years, it is my career. If I don't have a job, I'll be forced to move out of Manhattan and move back to my parents which means that I'll have to uproot my daughter out of school and I don't want that. I also know that one of my bosses verbally told me that if I was let go, the non compete clause wouldn't matter and I would be free to go wherever...but that was verbal and not stated in the contract.